Project Description

Originally from B.C., Timothy Bartsch is a classically-trained cellist, pianist and vocalist whom, upon the commencement of a diploma program at the Hochschule fuer Musik in Detmold, Germany, returned to Canada to pursue his dream of becoming a singer/songwriter. As his vocal training and song composition progressed, he performed the cello and the electric keyboard in various touring bands of contrasting genres.

Then, in 2003, Tim realized that his unique song style would be best suited in a musical. After the completion of his musical’s first draft, in 2004, he began the process of the recording of his songs. In 2005, without any prior knowledge or experience in the dramatic and cinematic arts, but with the eventual support of an amazing and accomplished team, Tim rented a hall for a week, six months in advance, and then successfully launched the production of his multimedia rock opera. This extraordinary feat was an eye-opener for Tim, surpassing all of his expectations.

Tim takes pleasure in teaching piano, cello and voice, and has branched out in his tutelage over the years: songwriting, musical theatre and choir. He loves sharing his knowledge of music and art with students of all ages, desiring that they, too, will foster an indelible appreciation for the arts.

Homework for Week Nov. 20 – 26

Elspeth

Great job today, dear!!! You are really making progress with all of the idiosyncrasies of articulating the bow. Remember to make sure your body is also moving to the strong beats as you play. And, ask Long & McQuade to exchange your cello for one that’s better in tune, and to buy a music stand! And, please cut ALL of the white of your fingernails!!! We will start left hand technique next lesson.

Minutes to practice: 45 (or more) per day.
What to practice: The first page of your music book.
How to practice it most effectively: As written above.

Homework for Weeks Nov. 6 – 18

Elspeth

Fantastic job today, and excellent attitude, dear!!!

Work for next couple weeks ~

Buy the cello method book

Practice the finger bow exercises, making sure each finger contact point is exact.

Practice single strings and double stops (2 strings at the same time), moving to the rhythm as you change bows seamlessly while keeping the bow straight for each string.

Homework for Week Mar. 10 – 16

Brigitte

Breakthrough in insights this lesson, Brigitte. Now, please practice and put the things we discovered into effect!

Minutes to practice: 45 per day.What to practice: The pieces marked with today’s date.How to practice it most effectively: Practicing in slow motion, focusing on the pitch while playing at the bridge, making a good sound for every note you articulate!

Mazin

‘Dill Pickles’ is sounding really good, Maz. Great practice this past week. And, thanks for reminding me that 4 songs is enough to practice on per week.

Minutes to practice: 45 per day.What to practice: The pieces marked in your book – minus the two new ones I assigned last week. Thanks for reminding me. Working on 4 songs at a time is enough!!How to practice it most effectively: By keeping eyes on page, making sure the rhythm is correct above all, then notes and fingerings.How parents can support practice: Making sure Maz has enough time to practice!

Chloe

Excellent practice this past week, as always. Don’t be so hard on yourself, dear! You’re doing really well. Trying new things can sometimes feel uncomfortable at first, but if you try, you ultimately will prevail!!

Minutes to practice: 30 (or more) per day.What to practice: The pieces noted in your notebook.How to practice it most effectively: By moving to the pieces strong beats (in the correct way) as you play.How parents can support practice: Encourage Chloe to move side to side when playing to 3/4 time!

Homework for Week Mar. 3 – 9

Brigitte

Great lesson today, Brigitte. Now, let’s hear it for a awesome practice this week! You can do it, dear!!!

Minutes to practice: 45 per day.What to practice: The pieces marked with today’s date in your music book.How to practice it most effectively: Focusing on making sure every bow you stroke sounds magical/’electrified’, and that each L.H. note you articulate is in tune!

Mazin

A challenging lesson today, but not bad considering. Usually the process is ‘2 steps forward, 1 step back’, but you’ve been on a roll these past few months, more like ‘8 steps forward, 1 step back’. So, don’t be hard on yourself, Maz. ‘Dill Pickles’ today showed a flaw in your technique. Now you know what the problem is (keeping every knuckle curved when technically articulating keys), so now you can address and make your technical playing better!

Minutes to practice: 45 per day.What to practice: The pieces marked in your notebook with today’s date.How to practice it most effectively: Calmly, analytically, and systematically. How parents can support practice: Make sure Maz finds the time to practice!

Jabari

Best lesson yet, Jabari!!! Your attitude towards learning the piano has really improved. Now, practice, and you will be off to the races!!

Minutes to practice: 30 per day.What to practice: The pieces marked with today’s date in your music book.How to practice it most effectively: Sitting with good posture and hand/wrist/elbow form, keeping your eyes on the page as you play, keeping a steady tempo. Also, flex your wrist forward a little as your fingers articulate keys.How parents can support practice: Please find a way for Jabari to practice — either at his babysitter’s during the day, or before he goes to bed at night.

Chloe

Best lesson yet, today, Chloe. Really happy that we connected and that we’re making such fast progress. Good job!!!

Minutes to practice: 30 per day, or more as you like!!What to practice: The pieces marked with today’s date in your notebook.How to practice it most effectively: Flexing wrists a little forward as your fingers articulate keys, while moving your body (either rhythmically, lyrically, or a combination of both, depending on the piece) to the strong beats.How parents can support practice: Keep on encouraging her, she’s on a roll!!!

Homework for Week Sept. 15 – 21

Natalie and Nadia

Great first lessons (with me), girls!! Though the first attempt at the keyboard setup wasn’t ideal, we managed rather fairly.

Remember to ALWAYS keep your core (tummy) muscles ENGAGED while you are playing. And, MOVE to the rhythm of the piece you are playing (and pay attention to how the DANCE changes throughout the piece, if it does at all). This includes MOVING to a comfortable rhythm (as long as it’s not one movement per note) when playing scales.

Natalie, CUT YOUR FINGERNAILS!! hehe..;) For Storms, what I wrote above especially applies to you with this song. Try it, experiment with it, and it will open whole new musical worlds for you. I promise you! Also, try to make melodic chords as legato as possible by choosing fingers that make this possible (especially for the top note of the chord). Pushing wrist forward after articulating the chord adds to this effect. Make sure you’re holding down ALL of the half notes and whole notes in chords while other parts of the chord are moving.

Nadia, while your core is engaged, and you are moving to a rhythm, practice the scales I assigned you AS SLOW AS YOU WANT TO, as long as the tempo is –STEADY–. We’ll talk about spider fingers next week..

Preferred Books for Tim’s Students

Click to buy them here, and they’ll come right to your house! What could be easier?

PIANO BOOKS

FLASH CARDS

120 color-coded cards to learn basic musical symbols, all notes from low ledger C to high ledger C, and rhythm patterns in 4/4 and 3/4. Also includes cards that focus on recognition of steps and skips on the staff.

Excellent for parents to help their kids at home with musical understanding – even if the parent is not musically trained!

RCM Piano Repertoire

RCM Celebration Series Piano Etudes

RCM Technical Requirements for Piano

Faber & Faber Piano Adventures

Lesson Book Primer Level

The 2nd Edition Primer Lesson Book introduces the keyboard, note values, and the grand staff. Students play in C 5-finger scale patterns, develop recognition of steps and skips, and learn letter names independent of finger number. Musicianship is built through the use of dynamics and coloristic experimentation with the pedal. The book is organized into units which represent the major concepts and skills. As new units are introduced, earlier concepts and skills are constantly reviewed.

Faber & Faber Piano Adventures

Theory Book Level 1

The 2nd Edition Theory Book provides instruction, reinforcement, and creative applications of basic theory concepts. Students will enjoy note-naming with StoryRhymes, explore improvisation, and engage with eye-training and ear-training activities all within a fun-filled context tied thematically to the Level 1 Lesson Book pieces.

Faber & Faber Piano Adventures

Performance Book Level 2A

The 2nd Edition Level 2A Performance Book offers an array of colorful elementary pieces that reinforce the concepts presented in the Lesson Book. The selections range from arrangements of classical compositions to American folk songs and imaginative originals. Students and teachers will enjoy the wide variety of sounds and musical textures in this collection.

Faber & Faber Piano Adventures

Theory Book Level 2A

The 2nd Edition Level 2A Theory Book has thematic tie-in with the Level 2A Lesson Book, inviting students into the pages for deeper understanding. A wide variety of theory activities engage students with eighth notes, phrases, transposition, and 5-finger scales. Composer biographies provide valuable context for Lesson Book pieces while helping students review key concepts.

Faber & Faber Piano Adventures

Theory Book Level 2A

The 2nd Edition Level 2A Theory Book has thematic tie-in with the Level 2A Lesson Book, inviting students into the pages for deeper understanding. A wide variety of theory activities engage students with eighth notes, phrases, transposition, and 5-finger scales. Composer biographies provide valuable context for Lesson Book pieces while helping students review key concepts.

Music for Little Mozarts

Lesson Book 1 is pre-reading. Concepts taught are: How to sit at the piano; Correct hand position; High and low; Loud and soft (forte and piano); Keyboard topography; Bar line and measure, Quarter, half, whole notes and rests; and Repeat signs.

CELLO BOOKS

Early Start On The Cello

Easy to intermediate arrangements designed to bring out the finest qualities of the cello. Includes folksongs, dances and works by Debussy, Chopin and Brahms. The cello part is also included on a separate insert.